Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the French national team, has been notably absent from the last two team gatherings, sparking widespread speculation. However, fans can expect his return during the Blues’ upcoming matches in March. The lingering question remains: will Mbappé retain his captaincy? According to Jérôme Rothen, the answer is a resounding no.
During a recent press conference, Kylian Mbappé addressed his anticipated return to the French team.the Real Madrid superstar and national team captain shared, “I’m eagerly looking forward to rejoining the squad in March. My dedication to the national team remains unwavering, but my current focus is entirely on Madrid. My priority is to deliver my best performance on the pitch.”
mbappé on fire! 🔥 His exploits dazzle the locker room and revive Real Madrid’s ambitions for the end of the season. https://t.co/BuXqCGy0vU
— le10sport (@le10sport) january 20, 2025
“The French Team Situation Has Escalated”
Amid the ongoing controversies surrounding Kylian Mbappé‘s absence during recent national team gatherings, a heated debate has emerged: Should he be stripped of the captain’s armband? Speaking on RMC, jerome Rothen shared his perspective, stating: “Should he step down as captain? Absolutely, because the situation with the French team has escalated beyond acceptable limits, notably in terms of his conduct. In my view, relinquishing the armband would also be a way for him to acknowledge his missteps. The captaincy was entrusted to him to serve as the team’s leader and a bridge for Didier Deschamps. Is Mbappé fulfilling that role effectively? I don’t believe so. Recently, at Clairefontaine, Deschamps publicly addressed the group, criticizing the lack of tactical preparation. It’s clear that Deschamps was deeply frustrated by that exchange.”
“One Misstep Can Cost Everything”
Rothen further elaborated on Kylian Mbappé‘s responsibilities as captain of the French team: “Then there’s the issue of his engagement with the media. Since the focus shifted to his future, he has consistently avoided press conferences, delegating the task to others. If you can’t even handle pre-match media duties due to poor communication management, what’s the point? (…) Some may have short memories, but I haven’t forgotten the events since September. We can’t overlook the recent gatherings where, despite not being in top form, he chose not to attend. There was also the instance where he prioritized club commitments over national team duties. When you wear the armband, you have obligations. One misstep, and it’s over.”
